Review of Bell Hands Off Bike U-Lock

Bell Hands Off Bike U-Lock
By: Bell Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 27
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Mounting the lock on the bike when not in use

On: 2009-09-22

I just got one of the u locks. I didnt open the package yet, because the way they show it mounted on the bike would be interfered with by the water bottle. Any thoughts please?

Ron

bike stolen

On: 2009-04-19

i suppose i should be greatful that it didnt get stolen sooner, but judging from the marks left on the only remaining part of my bike, this u-lock, it looked like it was pretty easy to pop open. next time i will spend the extra money to buy a heavier duty lock.

Same complaint as others - used this lock and my bike was stolen.

On: 2009-01-31

Several others have said it, but it bears repeating. This lock cannot be trusted to protect your bike.

I locked my bike just outside my door. Left for work and the bike was there. Came home from work and the bike was gone. Only had the bike for a few weeks. I learned my lesson.

Ill be getting a much tougher lock (actually locks - at least two different ones) for my next bike.

Get what you pay for.

On: 2009-01-16

This lock does the job. It is a good U-Lock so thieves can not cut through it. However it is cheap. On one night with rain and then a freeze the lock had ice in it and the key would not turn. I had to twist the key for 10 minutes to get it to work. Not good for use in cold weather but if you want a cheap U-Lock this is a great buy.

Cheap but no durable.

On: 2008-11-23

It rusts easily and the plastic cover is so loose that it often cover the key hole.

Recommend more expensive lock if you have more budget.

Do yourself a favor and buy something else

On: 2008-10-18

Im on Amazon to return this product right now. The key is very fickle -- I can only get the darn thing unlocked 1 out of 20 turns of the key. There might be a trick to it, but I dont know what it is. Also, as far as I can tell from reviews (that I should have read), these things do not keep your bike safe!

Not great

On: 2008-10-04

I bought this lock at Walmart a while ago to lock up my bike on a University campus and around. I didnt get my bike stolen like some of the other unfortunate reviewers (probably because my bike just wasnt worth it), but I do still have some complaints.

First of all, I didnt want to use the bulky LED key, so I used the thinner one. This was a mistake. After about a year of use, the lock became rusted and stiff, and after a few months of having to push the key hard and jiggle it to turn the lock, the key casing just broke right off: its not metal all the way through, and the "head" is just plastic. So, I not only had a really hard time turning the key without a head, but I had no way of securing the key to a keyring. Long story short, its a miracle I didnt lose this stub of a key for the remaining 6 months of use, and it was a major pain besides.

If you have a cheap bike or live in a low-crime area, get a better cable lock for the same price. If you have a nice bike, buy a better lock.

Terrible

On: 2008-09-26

I have no idea how this lock has any stars. The only thing it has to offer is that it is cheap. My bike was stolen right off my balcony in the middle of the day, while I was out doing some community service of all things. You might as well put a sign on your bike that says "steal me" if you use the bell lock. Once I get a new bike, Im going to get a Kryptonite.

Great lock, good price!

On: 2008-09-24

I bought this lock for my bike, and I am very happy with it. It is big enough to lock my front tire and my frame (but not the back tire). I like that it comes with an extra key as I am prone to losing things. The lock also comes with everything you need to mount the lock on your bike frame.

incredibly weak

On: 2008-09-22

my bike and my girlfriends bike were next to each other, locked up, outside of my apartment. mine had a kryptonite u-lock, hers had this one (the bell hands off bike u-lock).

we went outside and he bike was gone, mangled bell u-lock left on the ground. my bike was still there, but the u-lock was slightly bent.

the thief obviously tried to get mine, couldnt do it, and went to hers and had no trouble at all. i definitely DO NOT suggest this lock at all if you live in an area that bicycle theft is a problem. FYI - im in chicago, so its not like this is a rare occurrence, just keep it in mind.

doesn't work

On: 2008-06-18

i dont usually have the time or bother to write reviews, but i just thought id let everyone know that like several other reviewers of this lock, i too had my bike stolen using it. another bike locked to the same post as mine with a different u-lock was left untouched.

the lock doesnt work. reason enough not to purchase it i think. im getting a more heavy duty one this time.

Bell Hands off Bike lock

On: 2008-04-10

Exactly what I wanted.It would take too long for a thief to cut through it.You may want to buy a chain also,especially if you have an expensive bicycle.

Sturdy indeed

On: 2008-03-21

I bought this when I bought my womans bike, and made a mistake. It is definitely for use on mans bikes without a doubt. It made a great gift to the spouse and is really strong and trustworthy. The price is right and it is really practical.

Heavy

On: 2008-03-21

Its a little bit heavy but I guess you do not have to worry about someone taking a hack saw to it unless they have all day. It comes with hardware to attach it to your bike but I just keep it in my bag.

Good way to loose a bike

On: 2008-02-11

My bike was locked right outside my door to a metal railing with this lock. Went out, came back 4 hrs later and bike was gone, all this in broad daylight in the middle of the day. Unlike one of the other reviewers, I dont know how the lock was broken, but if you live in an area where many bikes are stolen, buy a better lock.

it locks..

On: 2008-01-07

its a bike lock and it does exactly that...
locks my bike.
good price and works exactly as advertised.

Good basic lock

On: 2007-12-12

good basic lock cheaper than the store easy to install if you want something more secure than your going to have to pay this is not leave overnight in the city lock if you get me its good for a few hours especially if you have a nice bike otherwise its a good basic lock..

Good quality lock. Gets the job done.

On: 2007-11-06

This U-lock is priced right. Its not excessively heavy and it is durable. Do not expect a miracle when the box arrives; expect the best for your money.

Good quality lock. Gets the job done.

On: 2007-11-05

This U-lock is priced right. Its not excessively heavy and it is durable. Do not expect a miracle when the box arrives; expect the best for your money.

PIECE OF JUNK

On: 2007-08-04

My bike got stolen with 2 of these locks on it. Security cameras caught a thug in a hoodie (of course, not identifiable) with bolt-cutters. Took all of 10 seconds. They were kind enough to leave one of the locks. In pieces.
If you stole my bike, I hope you get hit by a truck on it.

No-frills Lock

On: 2007-07-03

In a nutshell, this is really a no-frills U-Lock. I am completely satisfied with this lock, but I am aware that much more sophisticated bike security technology exists, so I wouldnt rate it as perfect.

I regularly leave my bike parked and unattended in ***Downtown Houston*** with two of these and two Bell cable locks (one for each wheel), and I have had no problems. When using bike locks, I go for quanity as opposed to quality. Multiple (4 or 5) average locks will overwhelm a thief way more than a single good lock, IMHO. Im even thinking about buying a third...

No-frills Lock

On: 2007-07-02

In a nutshell, this is really a no-frills U-Lock. I am completely satisfied with this lock, but I am aware that much more sophisticated bike security technology exists, so I wouldnt rate it as perfect.

I regularly leave my bike parked and unattended in ***Downtown Houston*** with two of these and two Bell cable locks (one for each wheel), and I have had no problems. When using bike locks, I go for quanity as opposed to quality. Multiple (4 or 5) average locks will overwhelm a thief way more than a single good lock, IMHO. Im even thinking about buying a third...

Bell Lock

On: 2007-06-20

I dont think I got a lighted key either, but it wasnt a big deal. Very sturdy lock with two keys, quick and easy to lock and unlock. I feel safe leaving my bike now.

Lighted key?

On: 2007-06-16

I didnt get a lighted key with mine, just 2 x normal keys.

Other than that everything else is working fine just as youd expect a u-lock to work.

The lock size "inside to inside" is 10.5cm x 20.5cm. Of the 20.5cm, 4.5cm is the curved bit. The locks cylinder is 19cm long.

solid lock man

On: 2007-06-02

Pretty sturdy and strong lock. Quickly locks bikes front wheel; when turned 180degrees around; to the bikes frame(I usually lock this wheel when attaching to the bike to the bike rack on my car to prevent the front wheel from bouncing around) or rear wheels to the bike frame and around a stationary object. Also easily unlocks and stores neatly away onto the lock mount which you attach to the bike which comes with the lock of course. Really a neat lock, not like those cable ones that can be easily cut. The metal of the lock is covered with a really durable black plastic. The locks key also has a LED which is handy at night.
A simple but effective, strong and well built bike lock.

Great lock, greater price

On: 2007-04-01

Its a perfectly usable U-Lock for about the cheapest price I could find. U-locks are targeted much less than cable locks, as the solid steel is much harder to cut than cabled steel, so while it is quite secure in its own right, it acts as more of a theft deterrent.

efficient but small and heavy

On: 2007-01-04

I like that lock. IT is very easy to use. It looks very thick and safe. However it is so small that you cannot lock both tire and metal costruction of the bike. You have to choose which one to lock: tire or metal part. Although it is very small, it is heavy. Really heavy. I cannot carry it on my backpack. I got a basket for the lock. Anyways, for this price, I guess, this lock is the best one you can buy

efficient but small and heavy

On: 2007-01-03

I like that lock. IT is very easy to use. It looks very thick and safe. However it is so small that you cannot lock both tire and metal costruction of the bike. You have to choose which one to lock: tire or metal part. Although it is very small, it is heavy. Really heavy. I cannot carry it on my backpack. I got a basket for the lock. Anyways, for this price, I guess, this lock is the best one you can buy

It works the way I expected

On: 2006-07-13

This lock is strong, inexpensive and easy to carry. It would be better if it was longer, but for my needs, its OK. I should say, I am pretty happy with it.

Security at its best

On: 2006-07-03

I love this lock, and the light on the key is ultra handy.